Arc welding apparatus



F. B. 'ru'rru: 2,356,802

ARC WELDING AP?ARATUS Filed Sept. 10, 1943 Aug. 29, 1944.

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Inventor: F'ran k B. Tuttle.

Aug. 29, 1944. T 2,356,802

ARC WELDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 10, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fi .z. Fi 2 2 ,8

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Inventor:

Frank B. Tut'ble.

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' it is necessary to Patented Aug. 29, 1944 2,356,802 ARC WELDING APPARATUS Frank Tuttle, Norristown, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation New York Application September 10, 1943. Serial No. 501,812 14 Claims. (01. 314-4) My invention relates to arc welding and more particularly to apparatus for automatically supplying to the electrode feeding mechanism of arc welding apparatus a succession of unit length electrodes, each of which in turn is welded in end to end engagement with the unconsumed residue of unit length electrodes previously supplied to said feeding means and still subject to its feeding action so that a continuous unbroken length of electrode material may be supplied as needed to maintain an uninterrupted welding are for as long as desired.

Unit length arc welding electrodes are primarily used for hand welding operations while electrodes in coils of indefinite length are generally used in automatic arc welding apparatus which controls electrode feed in accordance with an electrical characteristic of the welding are. Automatic apparatus has been provided, however, for feeding unit length electrodes because the flux coating of certain electrodes is of a nature to prohibit coiling without destroying the flux coating and because the size and stiffness of other electrodes makes it diflicult to feed them from a coil. Where the welding operation requires less than a unit length electrode for its completion the unconsumed or stub end loss may be considerable. Likewise where more than one unit length electrode is required to form a weld interrupt the welding operation and insert a new unit length electrode before completing the welding operation. Both of these features are objectionable and have been eliminated by joining in end to end engagement a plurality of unit length electrodes which are thereafter fed by the automatic apparatus as if they were a single electrode of the combined length of the succession of units of which it is v formed. Various mechanical joints have been proposed for connecting these unit length electrodes and it has also been proposed to join them by welding since the use of mechanical joints introduces a high resistance section in the resultant electrode which adversely affects the automatic control used for feeding it.

It is an object of my invention to provide improved apparatus for performing this welding operation ajan incident to the supply of unit length electrodes from a magazine to the electrode feeding mechanism of arc welding apparatus. v

It is a further object of my invention to provide means by which the ends of the unit length electrodes are joined by a welding are fed from a source of supply which is independent of the main source of supply used for fusing and depositing the electrodes so that the arc used for welding together unit length electrodes will not affect the uniform operation of the are employed for depositing weld metal.

It is another object of my invention to provide apparatus in which a biasing means associated with the electrode carrier is energized by the travel of the carrier from a loading position at the magazine to a feeding position in line with the electrode feeding means where this biasing means becomes effective for feeding the new length of electrode contained therein into engagement with the electrode in the feeding means.

It is a further object of my invention to provide means, effective for a predetermined interval of time and responsive to the movement of an electrode in the carrier to a predetermined position, for supplying arc welding current across the adjoining ends of the electrodes in the carrier and in the feeding means, and for interrupting the feeding action of the biasing means on the electrode in the carrier to establish between the adjoining ends of these electrodes an arc gap which is subsequently closed by said biasing means to form a weld.

Further objects of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In these drawings Fig. 1 is a side view of automatic'are welding apparatus embodying my invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are front and side views showing in greater detail the structural arrangements employed; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a guiding means employed for aligning the adjoining ends of electrodes in the carrier and in the feeding means of the apparatus illustrated in the previous figures; Fig. 5 is a view showing one type of flux coated unit length electrode in which a conductive ring located at the welded joint between two lengths thereof is employed for supplying welding current to the assembly through the agency of a contact mechanism forming part of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical control for moving the electrode carrier from its loading position to its feeding position and thereafter welding electrodes in the carrier and in the feeding means in end to end engagement in response to the actuation of limit switches forming part of my improved apparatus.

In accordance with my invention, unit length electrodes stored in a magazine are transferred in succession one at a time to an electrode ieedwhich is ing means by a carrier which travels between a loading position at the magazine to a feeding position in which the electrode located in the carrier is aligned with an electrode in the feeding means. Means eflective for a predetermined interval of time and responsive to the movement of the electrode in the carrier to a predetermined position are also provided in accordance with my invention for supplying welding current across the adjoining ends of electrodes in the carrier and in the feeding means and for interrupting the feeding action of the biasing means on the electrode in the carrier to establish between the adjoining ends of said electrodes an arcing gap which is subsequently closed by the biasing means to form a weld by means of which the electrode in the carrier becomes an integral part of the electrode in the feeding means whose length is thereby renewed so that the welding operation may proceed without interruption as the electrode in the feeding means is consumed. After this renewed length of electrode material has been withdrawn from the carrier, in accordance with my invention the carrier is swung to its loading position and again returned to its feeding position to repeat the operations above described. It is thus apparent that my apparatus supplies, in accordance with the need therefor, unit length electrodes which are integrally joined end to end by welding so that the resulting assembly acted on by the electrode feeding means becomes the equivalent of a continuous length of electrode material.

If my apparatus is employed for feeding unit length electrodes having electrically insulating flux coatings thereon, each electrode is suitably constructed for the supply of welding current thereto. For example, each electrode may have one of its ends slightly bared to accommodate a current conducting contact which engages the core of the electrode and extends beyond the outer surface of its flux coating so that when these electrodes are joined in end to end engagement, these contact devices constitute current conducting sections of the resulting electrode assembly through which current may be supplied thereto by any suitable contact mechanism.

The embodiment of my apparatus shown in Fig. 1 comprises a magazine II for holding a supply of unit length electrodes II which are transferred by a carrier of unit length electrodes previously supplied to the feeding mechanism It.

This feeding mechanism has been illustrated as an automatic arc welding head having the structure described and claimed in U, 8. Letters Patent 2,170,673, Jasper E. Anderson, granted August 22, 1939, and assigned to General Electric Company, assignee of this application. pointed out in this patent, its feed motor ll may be suitably controlled in response to a characteristic of the weldingarc to govern the speed and direction of rotation of its feed rolls I! which engage the electrode therein and feed it in accordance with its consumption in the arc.

These feed rolls may be provided with rubber treads and may have the construction shown in U. 8. Letters Patent 2,272,158. Jasper E. Anderson, granted February 3, 1942, and assigned to General Electric Company, asslsnee oi' this application.

Welding current is supplied to the electrode in the feeding means by a contact mechanism ll connected to one terminal of 8- source IT. This contact welding head it of supply through a conductor mechanism is supported on the through the agency of a tube ll, one end of which is attached to the contact mechanism ll by a double clamp i9 and the other end of which is held in a bracket ll forming part Of the welding head. This contact mechanism may have the construction described and claimed in my application,'Serial No. 501,813, for Are welding apparatus, filed concurrently herewith.

The electrode carrier I2 is mounted on a shaft 2| for swinging movement about a transverse axis between the feeding position which it occupies in Fig. 1 and a loading position shown by dotted lines opposite the discharge opening in magazine M. The movement of carrier I2 is controlled by a motor 22 which is connected to the carrier through a mechanism 23 which will be more fully described below.

In passing from its loading position to its feeding position the protruding end of an electrode in one end of carrier l2 engages a cam surface 24 by which it is moved into the carrier against the action of a biasing means located in the other end of the carrier until, at its feeding position, it is released for biased actuated movement into end to end engagement with the electrode in feeding means It. During its transfer the electrode is held in carrier I! by a member 25 which, like cam surface 24, extends between magazine Ill and the feeding position of the carrier.

After the biasing means in carrier I2 has fed the electrode therein until the ioint between it and the electrode in feeding means II has passed into a guide 26, a limit switch 21 attached to the carrier is actuated by a cam 28 forming part of the biasing means. This switch forms part of a control circuit embodying an electrically operated mechanism 29 which for a predetermined interval of time arrests the bias actuated feeding movement imparted to the electrode in the carrier. At the same time limit switch 21 controls the supply of welding current across the adjoining ends of the electrodes in the carrier and in the feeding means to establish between their adjoining ends an arcing gap which is subsequently closed by the biasing means to form a weld between the electrodes. Welding current employed in this operation is supplied through a connection 30 forming part of the carrier structure and through conductor ll which is also used for supplying welding current to contact mechanism II.

A limit switch ll, also forming part of the control above referred to, operates motor 22 to swing carrier I! from its feeding position to its loading position when the welded electrode assembly is withdrawn from carrier l2 by feeding means it.

The means above described for automatically supplying to the electrode feeding means a succession of unit length electrodes which are welded in end to end engagement with the unconsumed residue of unit length electrodes previously supplied to the feeding means, is mounted on and forms a part of this feeding means. Contact mechanism I, as previously stated, is also mounted on this feeding means. The feeding means itself may be adjustably mounted on a support embodying an arm 82';

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 which show in greater detail the physical structure of the apparatus heretofore described by referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that magazine I0 is attached to and supported on a channel-shaped member 83 by a bracket ll. This magazine is wedge-shaped in cross section and has an inclined side wall which feeds to the discharge opening 35 in its lower portion unit length electrodes contained in the magazine.

A gate biased to a closed position obstructs the passage of electrodes from the magazine through its discharge opening. In the arrangement illustrated this gate comprises a plurality of bars 35 mounted in brackets 31 on the front vertical wall of the magazine and biased to the position illustrated by springs 33. These bars are located in the path of travel of electrode carrier i! which at its loading position engages and displaces them in their brackets 31 against the action of spring 33 to open the passageway 35 in the magazine for the discharge of an electrode into the electrode holding cavity in carrier it.

One end of this electrode carrier is channel shaped in cross section and provides an electrode holding cavity having side and end openings for the reception and discharge of electrodes. In its loading position the side opening of the cavity is located opposite the discharge opening in the magazine and its end opening permits the electrode supplied to the carrier to extend therefrom for subsequent engagement with cam surface 2 previously referred to.

As the carrier passes from its loading position at the magazine to its feeding position illustrated in the drawings, the projecting end of the electrode therein engages cam surface 2| and is moved against a contact 33 which forms the inner end of the electrode cavity in carrier i2. This contact is biased by a spring ID to a predetermined position which will not interfere with the passage of an electrode from magazine II) to the cavity in carrier II when the carrier is in its leading position.

Contact 33 is mounted on one end of a rod ll which extends through a cap 42 at the other end of the carrier. Welding current for joining the electrodes in end to end engagement is supplied to the inner end of the electrode in the carrier through contact 39, red ll and the connection 30 at its protruding end. Rod H is guided by the opening in cap 82 and the hole in Washer 43 which, by reason of its attachment to carrier l2, forms an abutment for spring 40. A cam 28 attached to rod ll extends through an opening it in the side wall of the carrier for engaging the operating member of limit switch 21 as it moves toward the other end of the carrier through the biasing action of spring All.

Cam surface 28 is in fact a bracket attached at its lower end to the feeding means l3 and at its upper ,end to the end wall of magazine 10. As shown by the full line and dotted line positions of carrier I! in Fig. 3, cam surface 24 is spaced from the end of thecarrier in its loading position a greater distance than it is spaced therefrom in its feeding position. Consequently, when the carrier travels from its loading position to its feeding position, the electrode supplied thereto from magazine "I engages cam surface 24 and is forced thereby lengthwise into the carrier and into end engagement with contact 39 against the biasing means constituted in the present instance by spring 40 and its associated parts.

Cam surface 24 extends up to but not across the feeding position of carrier l2 so that in this position of the carrier the electrode contained therein may be fed into end to end engagement with the electrode in the feeding means through the action of the biasing means previously energized by the movement of the carrier from its loading position to its feeding position.

Carrier I2 is attached to a shaft H which is mounted for rotation in the flanges of channelshaped member 33. An arm 45 attached to one end of shaft 2|, which extends beyond member 33, is employed for moving carrier l2 between its loading and feeding positions. This arm is actuated by a rod 46 which is mounted for lengthwise movement in a bracket 41 attached to member 33. One end of this rod 46 is attached through a pin and slot connection with the outer end of arm 45 and its other end is provided with a follower 48 having a, threaded portion which engages the return thread screw on the upper end of a shaft 49 enclosed within a housing 50. The lower end of shaft 69 is connected through a coupling 5i with the armature shaft of motor 22 for rotation therewith. As shown in the drawings, motor 22 is mounted on a bracket 52 attached to the welding head l3. Housing which also rotatably supports the upper end of shaft 3 is attached to the base portion of member 33.

From the description just given it is apparent that rotation imparted to shaft 49 by motor 22 will cause follower 48 to travel back and forth along shaft 49 and thereby impart lengthwise movement to rod 46 which in turn moves arm 45 to swing carrier [2 between its loading and feeding positions.

At this time it may be well to note that the lower portion of member 33 is mounted on and attached to the horizontally disposed arms of brackets 53 whose vertically disposed arms are attached to lugs forming part of the feeding means l3. A sheet of insulating material 53 electrically insulates support 33 from the welding head, and coupling 5| above referred to is also made of insulating material so that carrier i2 will be electrically insulated from welding head I3 for reasons that will subsequently become apparent.

The bias actuated feeding movement of the electrode in carrier l2 may be arrested when the carrier is in its feeding position by bringing are striking rolls 55 into engagement therewith. As shown in Fig. 2, portions of electrode carrier 12 are cut away to expose the electrode therein to the action of these rolls. These rolls are held against rotation on pins 55 which are mounted in corresponding positions to one side of the centers of rotation of shafts 51. These shafts are journaled for rotation in a block 58 formin part of support 33. The portions of shafts 51 which extend through support 33 are of reduced cross section as shown in Fig. 3, and their ends are connected by links .59 to the armature of an electromagnet 23 whose coil and frame are mounted on support 33. The arrangement of links 59 is best shown in Fig. 6.

When the electromagnet 29 is energized, the crank supported rolls 55 move inwardly and upwardly to engage the electrode in carrier l2 and thereby arrest its travel or move it a predetermined distance against the action of the biasing means in the carrier. Rolls 55 are preferably made of a compressible material such as rubber so that their crankllke movement will displace the electrode in carrier l2 a predetermined distance against its biasing means. The operating winding of electromagnet 29 forms part of the control system including limit switches 21 and 3| previously referred to.

After the electrode in carrier l2 disengages cam surface 24, as previously stated, it is brought 4 asoasos into end to end engagement with the unused tacts 18 controls the supply of welding current residue of the electrode in teed rolls I! of weldacross the adjoining ends of electrodes in carrier ing head 13 by reason of the movement imparted l2 and in feeding means is. This relay also conthereto by the biasing means of carrier l2. As trois through its contacts 18 the energization of the electrode in the feeding means is consumed, s the operating winding of electromagnet 29 which the electrode in carrier I: will follow it until when energized arrests or reverses the travel imthe ends of these electrodes are in guiding means pa ted e e c ode n ca rie 2 by its biasina 28 which is located between iced rolls II and means Gil. Relay 12 through its contacts 11 conthe electrode holding end of carrier i2 when trols the energization oi the operating winding of the carrier is in its feeding position. relay 13. Once ener ized. e y 73 completfifl its The structure of guiding means a is be t holding circuit through its contacts 18 and opens shown in Fig. 4. It comprises a frame having its contacts 19 to deenergize the opera ing windaligned guiding surfaces to against which the ng of relay 1|. The operating n ng of r y abutting ends of the electrodes are held by fln- 1| is connected across the output terminals 01' a gen 8! and 82. These fingers are supported rectifier 9| through contacts 18 of relay 18 and for swinging movement about pins I a d as the normally open contacts of limit switch 21. which are supported in the frame or the guidi The input terminals of this rectifier are conmeans and are biased to an electrode enga ing nected across conducmm position b springs 65 and 68 associated there- Relays 12 and 13, as well as electromagnet 28. with. An angular sh l 1 encloses t space 20 are energized through conductors 80 which are between finger 6| and th i supports for t connected through normally open contacts 8| of biasing spring 65 so that electrodes supplied by limit switch ii to a source of alternating current carrier I: may t te h space if discharged supply 82. Normally closed contacts 83 of limit so rapidly from the carrier that they do not first switch 3 I connect the electrode carrier en age the upper guiding surface 80 oi means 28. to the same source supply Guiding means 26 is attached to the welding Terminals and u are connected to 3 head i 3 by bolts passing through lug u fumi of supply suitable for arc welding the abutting apart thereof. It is also provided with abracket ends electrodes in and in feeding as upon which limit switch :1 is mounted. The means and terminals and are connected operator may mo e finger 51 against the mas 30 to a source of welding current which is suitable its spring 66 by pulling on a screw III which is for fusing and depositing electrode material on threaded into its body portion. the work 81 which is connected through a conp n g upon the contact mechanism it emduct terminal p yed, it is obvious from what has been stated In View the above preliminary description above that the apparatus described the organization of the system shown in Fig. 6 feedin bare or flux coated unit gi fggfi gf will b; further described by now considering its When the electrodes have insuiatin n W thereon, each electr d may, as f i figg if When carrier I2 is swung to its feeding position have one oi it end pared t accommodate a illustrated in Fig. 6, electrode Ii in carrier i2 is current conducting contact which eng the 40 fed by the biasing means embodying spring 40 core of the electrode and extends beyond the into end to end engagement with electrode ii in outer surface of it flux coating 80 t when cob feed rolls ll of welding head i 8. The movement responding electrodes are joined in end to end 0! carrier i2 to its feeding position brings the en agement these contact devices constitute cur- Pmtmdmg end of the electrode therein rent conducting sections of the'iesulting elecfl ement with the operating member of limit assembly nt m y be supplied throu witch it and causes this switch to close its northese conducting ecti t the electroda ab mally open contacts 8!. The closure of contacts sembly by a contact mechanism which pmvideg a or limit switch 3| connect conductors to substantially continuous contact zone of a length the of supply exceeding th dista b tw t conduct! an After electrode II in feed rolls i! has been fed sections thus formed. Such a Joint embodyin to a position in which the abutting ends between it and the electrode in canz'IQer i 2 are in a delsligg in Fig. 5. This Joint com rise a rin position in guiding means previously desc ducting material 82 placed upon th ni '2 in connection with the structure shown in Figs. each unit length electrode u at its hand end pores 1. 2 and a, cam 2:, on rod ll of the biasing means tion. This ring constitutes th cond ctm engages and closes the normally open contacts tact section by whi h current i supplied to the of limit switch 21. The closure of this switch welded assembly when corresponding elect connects the operating winding of relay 1i across are Joined in end t n a gnm t by t opthe energized conductors Oil through contacts 19 eration of my apparatus, a of relay 18 and rectifier bridge ll The operation of the mechanism thus for de. Relay 1! consequently closes its contacts 14 and scribed is under the control of limit switches 21 nergizes the operating winding of relay 12 by and it, also forming part of an electrical control connecting it across energized conductors ll. which is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig, 6 This relay, by closing its contacts 15, applies the and which forms an integral part of my 8133313, on source of welding current between terminals 84 bus. Carrier i2 and th parts associated t and 85 to the electrodes in carrier I2 and feed rolls with. feed rolls l5 of welding head It, and a I i. The circuit is completed from terminal 84 of tact mechanism It, previously described, hav this source through contact 15 of relay 12, conalso been diagrammatically represented in this section rod Contact 39 i the elecfigure. 1o trode in carrier l2, the electrode in feed rolls ii The electrical control illustrated in Fig. 6 emand contact mechanism I6 through conductor l1 bodies relays ll, 12, and 13. to the other terminal 85 of this source. I Relay H has a time delay opening characteristic Simultaneously with the closure of it conand through its contacts 14 controls the enertacts 18, relay 12 also closes its contacts 18. The

gization of relay 12. Relay I2 through its con- 1' closure of these contacts connects the operating winding of electromagnet 29 across energized conductors 80 through conductors 89 and Bil. The electromagnet consequently picks up its armature and operates rolls 55 to bring them into engagement with the electrode in carrier i2 and arrest its travel or move it against the action of spring 40 of the biasing means to create an arcing gap between the abutting ends of the electrodes in the carrier and in feed rolls ii. If the travel of the electrode in carrier I2 is arrested without moving it against the action of spring 40, the consumption and consequent feed of the electrode in feed rolls IE will, it is obvious, establish this arcing 88:9.

The energization of relay 12 also causes it to close its contacts 11 and energize the operating winding of relay 13 by connecting it across energized conductors 80 through conductorsBfl and 90. Relay 13 thereupon closes its contacts is to complete and maintain its holdin circuit across energized conductors 80 through conductors 89 and 90. Relay 13 also opens its contacts 19 deenergizing relay H even though limit switch 21 may still have its contacts closed by cam 28 on rod 4 l After a predetermined time interval, relay 1| opens its contacts 14 deenergizing relay 12 which thereupon opens its contacts 15, 16 and I1. The opening of its contacts 15 discontinues the flow of welding current from the source connected to terminals 84 and 85 and thereby interrupts the arcing contact between the electrodes in carrier I2 and feed rolls IS. The opening of its contact 16 deenergizes electromagnet 29 which then releases the electrode in carrier I! to the action of its biasing means which brings the molten ends of the electrodes in the carrier and in the feed rolls l5 into engagement with one another to complete the weld between them. The opening of contacts 11 oi relay 12 does not deenergize relay 13 since, as previously stated, this relay is maintained energized through its holding contacts l8. 4

When the welded assembly thus produced between them the electrodes in carrier l2 and in feed rolls 85 has been withdrawn from the carrier past the operating member of limit switch 3!, this switch opens its normally open contacts 8! and closes its normally closed contacts 83. The opening of contacts 8! deenergizes relay [3, and the closure of contacts 83 energizes carrier motor 22 which operates to swing carrier 12 from its feeding position to a loading position opposite magazine II where another electrode is supplied thereto. The continued operation of motor 22 then swings the carrier to its feeding position where the protruding end of the electrode in the carrier again operates limit switch ii to stop motor 22 and reenergize conductors at from source 82. Thereafter another cycle of operation is completed in the manner above described.

It is thus apparent that my apparatus supplies in accordance with the need therefor unit length electrodes which are integrally joined end to end by welding so that the resulting assembly acted on by the electrode feeding means becomes the equivalent of a continuous length of electrode material. Unit length electrodes may, therefore. be used for performing any desired welding operation without waste of electrode material and without interruption of the welding operation.

It is also apparent that unit length electrodes having insulating flux coating thereon need not have the construction illustrated and described above to be suitable for use in my apparatus. Instead of the contact ring 92 described above, any suitable contact means mounted on or forming a part of the electrode core may be used for supplying current thereto. In fact, the current carrying contact or contacts of each length of electrode material may be spaced several inches from their ends so that their usefulness as contacts will not be impaired by the welding operation employed for joining the lengths of electrode material in end to end engagement.

The single embodiment illustrated in the drawings may be variously modified without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Thus electrodes may be loaded into the electrode carrier by means other than that described. Furthermore, instead of the spring operated biasing means illustrated as forming a part of the carrier, a weight actuated biasing means may be employed. Likewise, means other than the cam surface illustrated and described may be employed for moving an electrode in the carrier against the action of the biasing means to energize it. One obvious arrangement comprises an electromagnet which acts directly on the electrode or through the agency of an electrode engaging means. Furthermore, the electrical control illustrated in Fig. 6 may be variously modified in order to establish different methods of welding the electrodes in end to end engagement. It is obvious that irrespective of how performed any welded union will accomplish my purpose of feeding unit length electrodes which are integrally joined end to end by welding so that the resulting assembly acted on by the electrode feeding means becomes the equivalent of a continuous length of electrode material. This and other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art.

Thus while I have shown and described but one embodiment of my invention, such modification and variations are contemplated as fall within the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising an electrode carrier, means i or supporting said carrier for movement between electrode loading and electrode feeding positions. means at one end of said carrier for biasing an electrode therein to a predetermined position lengthwise thereof, means at the loading positions or said carrier for supplying an electrode thereto beyond the range of action oi. said biasing means, means responsive to the movement of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position for displacing an electrode therein against the action of said biasing means and thereafter releasing said electrode to the feeding action of said biasing means when said carrier arrives at its feeding position, electrode feeding means opposite the other end of said carrier when said carrier is in its feeding position, and means effective for a predetermined interval of time and responsive to the movement of an electrode in said carrier to a predetermined position for supplying welding current across the adjoining ends of electrodes in said carrier and in said Ieedlng means and for interrupting the feeding action of said biasing means on the electrode in said carrier to establish between the ad- Joining ends 01 said electrodes an arcing gap which is subsequently closed by said biasing means to form a weld.

2. Automatic arc welding app atus comprising an electrode carrier, means for supporting said carrier for movement between electrode loading and electrode feeding positions, means at one end of said carrier for biasing an electrode therein to a predetermined position lengthwise therean electrode thereto beyond the range of action of said biasing means, means responsive to the movement of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position for displacing an electrode therein against the action of said biasing means and thereafter releasing said electrode to the feeding action of said biasing means when said carrier arrives at its feeding position, electrode feeding means opposite the other end oi said carrier when said carrier is in its feeding position, means effective for a predetermined interval of time and responsive to the movement of an electrode in said carrier to a predetermined position for supplying welding current across the adjoining ends of electrodes in said carrier andin said feeding means and for interrupting the feeding action of said biasing means on the electrode in said carrier to establish between the adjoining ends of said electrodes an arcing gap which is subsequently closed by said biasing means to form a weld, and means for' moving said carrier from its feeding position to its loading position and then returning it to its feeding position in response to the withdrawal of the welded electrode assembly from said carrier to a predetermined position by said feeding means.

3. Automatic arc welding apparatus compriss electrodes formed by Joining them and to end by welding, a carrier for transferring one of electrode assembly through said feeding means, means operative in the loading position of said carrier for transferring one of said electrodes from said magazine to said carrier, means in said carrier for biasing said electrode therein to a predetermined position, means actuated by the movement of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position for displacing said electrode lengthwise of said carrier against the action of said biasing means and then releasing said electrode to the action of said biasing means for lengthwise travel into end to end engagement with the last section of said electrode assembly in said feeding means when said carrier is in its feeding position, means responsive to the movement of said electrode in a predetermined position for weldthe adjoining end of the last section of the electrode assembly in said feeding means, and means responsive to the withdrawal of the newly formed last section of said electrode assembly from said carrier to a predetermined position for moving said carrier to its loading position and returning it again to its feeding position.

4. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising a magazine having a discharge opening through which unit length electrodes stored therein are supplied one at a time in side by side arrangement, means for lengthwise feeding an assembly of said electrodes formed by Joining them end to end by welding, a carrier for transferring one of said electrodes from a loading position opposite said discharge opening of said magazine to a feeding position in line with the travel of said electrode assembly through 76 said feeding means, means in said carrier for biasing said electrode therein to a predetermined position, means actuated by said carrier in its loading position for transferring one of said electrodes from said magazine to said carrier beyond the range of action of said biasing means, means actuated by the movement of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position for displacing said electrode lengthwise of said carrier against the action of said biasing means and thereafter releasing it to the action of said blasing means for lengthwise travel into end to and engagement with the last section of said electrode assembly in said feeding means when said carrier is in its feeding position, means responsive to the movement of said electrode in said carrier to a predetermined position by said biasing means for welding its end to the adjoining end of the last section of the electrode assembly in said feeding means, and means responsive to the withdrawal of the newly formed last section of said electrode assembly from said carrier to a predetermined position for moving said carrier to its loading position and returning it again to its feeding position.

5. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising a magazine for storing unit length electrodes. means for lengthwise feeding an assembly of said electrodes formed by Joining them end to end by welding, a carrier for transferring one of said electrodes from a loading position at said magazine to a feeding position in line with the travel of said electrode assembly through said feeding means, means operative in the loading position of said carrier for transferring one of said electrodes from said magazine to said carrier, means in said carrier for biasing said electrode therein to a predetermined position, means actuated by the movement of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position for displacing said electrode lengthwise of said carrier against the action of said biasing means and then releasing said electrode to the action of said biasing means for lengthwise travel into end to end engagement with the last section of said electrode assembly in said feeding means when said carrier is in its feeding position, means for supplying welding current across the abutting ends of said electrode in said carrier and said last section of said electrode assembly in said feeding means, means for arresting the travel of said electrode in said carrier for a predetermined interval of time and thereafter restoring it to the action of said biasing means, means responsive to the movement of said electrode in said carrier to a predetermined position for operating said last two mentioned means and thereby welding it to said electrode assembly in said feeding means to add a new length thereto, and means responsive to the withdrawal of said new length of said electrode assembly from said carrier to a predetermined position for moving said carrier to its loading position and returning it again to its feeding position.

6. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprisarrangement, means for lengthwise feeding an assembly of said electrodes formed by Joining them end to end by welding, a carrier for transferring one of said electrodes from a loading position opposite said discharge opening of said magazine to a feeding position in line with the travel of said electrode assembly through said feeding means, means in said carrier for biasing said electrode therein to a predetermined position, means actuated by said carrier in its loading position for transferring one of said electrodes from said magazine to said carrier beyond the range of action of said biasing means, means actuated by the movement of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position for displacing said electrode lengthwise of said carrier against the action of said biasing means and thereafter releasing it to the action of said biasing means for lengthwise travel into end to end engagement with the last section of said electrode assembly in said feeding means when said carrier is in its feeding position, means responsive to the movement of said electrode in said carrier by said biasing means to a predetermined position for completing a welding circuit through the abutting ends of said electrode in said carrier and said last section of said electrode assembly in said feeding means and moving the said electrode in said carrier against said biasing means away from said electrode assembly in said feeding means to establish an are between their adjoining ends, means actuated bysaid last mentioned means for releasing said electrode in said carrier to the action of said biasing means and interrupting the supply of welding current to said electrodes to bring them into end to end engagement and thereby weld a new length to said electrode assembly in said feeding means, and means responsive to the withdrawal by said feeding means of said new length of said electrode assembly, from said carrier to a predetermined position for moving said carrier to its loading position and returning it again to its feeding position.

7. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising an electrode carrier, means for supporting said carrier for movement between electrode loading and electrode feeding positions, means at one end of said carrier for biasing an electrode therein to a predetermined position lengthwise thereof, means at the loading position of said carrier for supplying an electrode thereto beyond the range of action of said biasing means, means responsive to the movement of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position for displacing against the action of said biasing means an electrode supplied thereto by said last mentioned means and thereafter releasing said electrode to the feeding action of said biasing means when said. carrier arrives at its feeding position, electrode feeding means opposite the other end of said carrier when said carrier is in its feeding position, and means responsive to the movement of an electrode in said carrier to a predetermined position under the action of said biasing means for interrupting the feeding action of said biasing means and supplying welding current toelectrodes in said carrier and in said feeding means to establish an arcing gap between their adjoining ends and thereafter interrupting said flow of welding current and reestablish the feeding action of said biasing means to bring the adjoining ends of said electrodes together again to form a welded union.

8. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising an electrode carrier, means for supporting said carrier for movement between electrode loading and electrode feeding positions. means at one end of said carrier for biasing an electrode therein to a predetermined position lengthwise thereof, means at the loading position of said carrier for supplying an electrode thereto beyond the range of action of said biasing means, means responsive to the movement of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position for displacing against the action of Bald biasing means an electrode supplied thereto by said last mentioned means and thereafter releasing said electrode to the feeding action of said biasing means when said carrier arrives at its feeding position, electrode feeding means opposite the other end of said carrier when said carrier is in its feeding position, means responsive to the movement of an electrode in said carrier to a predetermined position under the action of said biasing means for interrupting the feeding action of said biasing means and supplying welding current to electrodes in said carrier and in said feeding means to establish an arcing gap between their adjoining ends and thereafter interrupting said flow of welding current and reestablishing the feeding action of said biasing means to bring the adjoining ends of said electrodes together again to form a flash welded union, and means responsive to the withdrawal from said carrier of the electrode therein for moving said carrier to its loading position and then returning it to its feeding position.

. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising a carrier having an electrode cavity extending lengthwise thereof from one of its ends, a current conducting contact movable lengthwise of the other end of said carrier and definin the inner end of said electrode cavity in said carrier, means for biasing said contact to a position in which said electrode cavity is of shorter length than the electrode it is adapted to carry, means for supporting said carrier for swinging movement about a transverse axis between a loading position and a feeding position, means at said loading position for inserting an electrode into said cavity of said carrier, electrode feeding means in line with an electrode in said cavity of said carrier when said carrier is in its feeding position, a cam surface which during the travel of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position engages the projecting end of an electrode in said carrier and displaces said electrode lengthwise thereof into engagement with said contact against the action of said biasing means and at said loading position releases said electrode to the action of said biasing means for lengthwise travel into engagement with the end of an electrode in said feeding means, means at the feeding position of said carrier for engaging an electrode therein and moving it a predetermined distance against the action of said biasing means, means for supplying welding current through said contact and across the adjoining ends of electrodes in said carrier and said feeding means. and means responsiveto the movement of an electrode in said carrier to a. predetermined position under the action of said biasing means for operating said last two mentioned means and thereby welding together the adjoining ends of electrodes in said carrier and in said feeding means.

10. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising a, carrier having an electrode cavity extending lengthwise thereof from one of its ends, a current conducting contact movable lengthwise of the other end of said carrier and defining the inner end of said electrode cavity in said carrier, means for biasing said,contact to a position in which said electrode cavity is of shorter length than the electrode it is adapted to carry, means for supporting said carrier for swinging movement, about a transverse axis between a loading position and a feeding position, means at said loading position for inserting an electrode into said cavity of 7 said carrier, electrode feeding means'ln line with an electrode in said cavity of said carrier when said carrier is in its feeding position, guiding means located between said feeding means and said carrier in its feeding position for holding in alignment adjoining ends of electrodes in said feeding means and in said carrier, a cam surface located in the plane of rotation of said carrier and curved inward toward its axis of rotation up to its feeding position, said surface being arranged to engage the projecting end of an electrode in said carrier and move said electrode lengthwise thereof into engagement with said contact and against the action of said biasing means before releasing it at the feeding position of said carrier to the action of said biasing means, for movement into end to end engagement with an electrode in said feeding means, means at the feeding position of said carrier for engaging an electrode therein and moving it a predetermined distance against the action of said biasing means, means for supplying welding current through said contact and across the adjoining ends of electrodes in said carrier and said feeding means, and means .responsive to said bias actuated movement of an electrode in said carrier to a position in which the joint between the end of said electrode in said carrier and the adjoining end of an electrode in said feeding means is located in said guiding means for operating said last two mentioned means and thereby welding together the adjoining ends of said electrodes.

11. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising a, carrier having an electrode cavity extending lengthwise thereof from one of its ends, a current conducting contact movable lengthwise of the other end of said carrier and defining the inner end of said electrode cavity in said carrier, means for biasing said contact to a position in which said electrode cavity is of shorter length than the electrode it is adapted to carry, means for supporting said carrier for swinging movement about a transverse axis between a loading position and a feeding position, means at said loading position for inserting an electrode into said cavity of said carrier, electrode feeding means in line with an electrode in said cavity of said carrier when said carrier is in its feeding position, means effective during movement of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position for lengthwise moving an electrode in said carrier against the action of said biasing means to energize said biasing means and then releasing said electrode to the action; of said biasing means when said carrier is in its feeding position to propel said electrode lengthwise of said carrier in the reverse direction into end to end engagement with.an electrode in said feeding means, means at the feeding position of said carrier for engaging an electrode therein and moving it a predetermined distance against the action of said biasing means. means for supplying welding current through said contact and across the adjoining ends of feeding means, means responsive to themovement of an electrode in said carrier to a predetermined position under the action of said biasing means for operating said last two mentioned means and thereby uniting by welding the adjoining ends of electrodes in said carrier and in said feeding means, and means responsive to the withdrawal from said carrier by means of the electrode therein for electrodes in said carrier and said said feeding sw nging said ll obstructing carrier to its loading position and then returning it to its feeding position.

12. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising means for feeding a series of unit length electrodes welded together in end to and engagement, a magazine having a discharge opening through which said electrodes stored therein are supplied one at a time in side by side arrangement, a carrier having in one end an electrode holding cavity provided with side and and openings for the reception and discharge of said electrodes and in its other end a current conductive contact movabielengthwise thereof and defining the inner end of said cavity. means for biasing said contact to a position in which said electrode holding cavity is of shorter length than said electrodes, a gate biased to a closed position obstructing the passage of electrodes from said magazine through its said discharge opening and movable to an open position by engagement with said electrode carrier when said carrier is moved to its loading position in which the electrode holding cavity defined by said predetermined position of said contact in said carrier is opposite one end of the discharge opening in said magasine and communicates therewith through the side opening in.said carrier, means for supporting said carrier for swinging movement about a transverse axis between said loading position and a feeding position in which the projecting end of the electrode .in said carrier is located in line with said electrode feeding means, a cam surface in the plane of rotation of said carrier in position to engage the projecting end of an electrode therein and displace it lengthwise thereof into engagement with said contact against the action of said biasing means during travel of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position where it releases said electrode to the action of said biasing means for lengthwise travel into engagement with the end of the last of said series of electrodes in said feeding means, and means responsive to the movement ,of an electrode in said carrier to a predetermined position under the action of said biasing means for uniting by welding the adjoining ends of electrodes in said carrier and in said feeding means, said means establishing the flow of welding current through said contact andsaid electrode across their adjoining ends, arresting the action of said biasing means to form an arcing gap between the adjoining ends of said electrodes and a predetermined interval of time after said arcing gap has been established interrupting said now of welding current and restoring the action ,of said biasing means to bring the adjoining ends of said electrodes into welding engagement with one another.

13. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising means for feeding a series of unit length electrodes welded together in end to end engagement. a magazine having a discharge opening through which said electrodes stored therein are supplied one at a time in side by side arrangemeet. a carrier having in one end an electrode holding cavity provided with side and end opening: for the reception and discharge of said electrodes and in its other end a current conductive contact movable lengthwise thereofand defining the inner end of said cavity, means for biasing said contact to a position in. which said electrodelmlding cavity is of shorter length than said electrodes. a gate biased to a closed position the Passage of electrodes from said magazine through its said dischargeop ning and gaid electrode carrier when in line with said electrode feeding assasoa movable to an open position by engagement with said carrier is moved to its loading position in which the electrode holding cavity defined by said predetermined position of said contact in said carrier is opposite one end of the discharge opening in said magazinc and communicates therewith through the side opening in said carrier. means for supporting said carrier for swinging movement about a transverse axis between said loading position and .a feeding position in which the projecting end of the electrode in said carrier is located means, a cam surface in the plane of rotation of said carrier thereof into engagement with said contact against the action of said biasing means during travel of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position where it releases said electrode to the action of said biasing means for lengthwise travel into engadement with the end of the last or said series of electrodes in said feeding means, guiding means located between said feeding means and said carrier in its feeding position for holding in alignment the adjoining ends of electrodes in said feeding means and in said carrier, and means responsive to the movement of said contact to a position in which the adjoining ends of electrodes in said carrier and in said feeding means are located in said guiding means for uniting said ends by welding. said means establishing the flow of welding cur rent through said contact and said electrode across their adjoining ends, arrestin the action of said biasing means to form an arcing gap between the adjoining ends of said electrodes and a predetermined interval of time after said arcin gap has been established interrupting said flow of welding current and restoring the action of said biasing means to bring the adjoining ends of said electrodes into welding engagement with one another.

14. Automatic arc welding apparatus comprising means for feeding a series of unit length electrodes welded together in end to end en a ment. a magazine having a discharge opening through which said electrodes stored therein are supplied one at a time in side by side arrangement. a carrier having in one end an electrode holding cavity provided with side and end openlugs for the reception and discharge of said electrodes and in its other end a current conductive contact movable lens hwise thereof and defining the inner end of said cavity. means for biasing surface in the plane said contact to a position in which said electrode holding cavity is of shorter length than said electrodes, a gate biased to a closed position obstructing the passage of electrodes from said magazine through its said discharge opening and movable to an open position by engagement with said electrode carrier when said carrier to its loading position in which the electrode holding cavity defined by said predetermined position of said contact in said carrier is opposite one end of the discharge opening in said magasine and communicates therewith through the side opening in said carrier, means for supporting said carrier for swinging movement about a transverse axis between said loading position and a feeding position in which the projecting end of the electrode in said carrier is located in line with said electrode feeding means, a cam of rotation of said carrier in position to engage the projecting end of an electrode therein and displace it lengthwise thereof into engagement with said contact against the action of said biasing means during travel of said carrier from its loading position to its feeding position where it releases said electrode to the action of said biasing means for lengthwise travel into engagement with the end of the last of said series of electrodes in said feeding means, guiding means located between said feeding means and said carrier in its feeding position for holding in alignment the adjoining ends of electrodes in said feeding means and in said carrier, means responsive to the movement of said contact to a position in which the adjoining ends of electrodes in said carrier and in said feeding means are located in said guiding means for uniting said ends by welding. said means establishing the flow of welding current through said contact and said electrode across their adjoining ends, arresting the action of said biasing means to form an arcing gap between the adjoining ends of said electrodes and a redetermined interval of time after said areing gap has been established interrupting said flow of welding current and restoring the action of said biasing means to bring the adjoining ends of said electrodes into welding engagement with one another, and means for swinging said carrier from its feeding position to it loading position and then returning it again to its feeding position in response to the withdrawal from said carrier by said feeding means of the last of said renewed series of electrodes.

FBANKBTW.

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